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General
What is the connection to Morgan Stanley and E*TRADE?
In October 2020, Morgan Stanley completed the purchase of E*TRADE. While we will continue to use the E*TRADE name as it is well-known to our clients, both companies have now merged and become 1 firm. As a result, Morgan Stanley at Work can now offer you E*TRADE's competitive and outstanding self-directed brokerage services as part of your stock plan experience.
Why am I required to open an E*TRADE brokerage account for my stock plan?
Morgan Stanley is continuously working to make enhancements to your stock plan experience. With that goal in mind, we are integrating the E*TRADE brokerage account with Shareworks by Morgan Stanley at Work. This self-directed brokerage account will now be the default account for sales proceeds and in the future for company shares.
What happens if I already have an E*TRADE brokerage account?
If you already have an E*TRADE account, you can link that account with your Shareworks account. Then, when you sell your stock plan shares, you can receive your proceeds in that E*TRADE account. Just click on the “Open or Link Now” button in your Shareworks offer to elect to link your existing E*TRADE account.
What happens to my shares if I don’t open an E*TRADE brokerage account?
At this time, if you do not open an E*TRADE brokerage account, you will continue to sell your stock plan shares from your Shareworks account. In the future, you will need to open an E*TRADE brokerage account in order to log in to your Shareworks account and sell stock plan proceeds. You will receive notice of the deadline in advance so that you can plan accordingly. After the deadline, you will be required to open your account when logging in to Shareworks and will need to complete the process before accessing your stock plan online.
Will I be able to read the account agreement and disclosures after my account is open?
Yes, you can see all disclosures, including your account agreement at https://us.etrade.com/forms-applications/others#tab_0
What if I am new user to Shareworks and activating the account for the first time?
If you are registering for the first time, you are required to open an E*TRADE account or link an existing, eligible1 E*TRADE account in order to complete the Shareworks account creation process. Your Shareworks stock plan account and E*TRADE brokerage account will work together to provide you with a seamless experience.
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Account Opening
How do I open an E*TRADE brokerage account?
Upon logging in to your Shareworks account, you will see an offer in front of your home screen which asks you to open an E*TRADE brokerage account. At the bottom, click on the "Open Now" button and you will be taken to the account-opening screen.
How do I know if I am eligible to open an account?
When you log in to your Shareworks account, if you see an offer window asking you to open your E*TRADE brokerage account, then you are eligible to open the account and can click on the "Open Now" button to open your E*TRADE brokerage account.
Why am I required to provide my income, liquid and total net worth and other personal information?
Regulations require that we collect the information in the event that E*TRADE is requested to make suitability determinations for any investments you may choose to make outside your equity compensation benefits.
Why do I need to provide investment objectives, income and net worth to open an E*TRADE account?
Industry regulations require us to gather this information as per FINRA Rule 2111. Go to https://www.finra.org/rules-guidance/rulebooks/finra-rules/2111 for additional information about the rule.
What if I already have a Morgan Stanley Access Direct brokerage account?
You can now close your Access Direct account and transfer your stock plan assets to your new E*TRADE brokerage account. Please follow the below instructions to do so:
- Before beginning, you should have available your 12-digit Morgan Stanley Access Direct account number, starting in 792, as well as the estimated value of your account
- Log into your E*TRADE account
- Click on Transfers on the top right
- Click on Account and select “Individual”
- Complete the requested information
Once completed, funds will arrive in your account in 1-2 business days and your Morgan Stanley Access Direct account will automatically be closed.
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Fees
What commission fees are there associated with this E*TRADE brokerage account?
E*TRADE charges $0 commission for online US-listed stock, ETF, and options trades. Exclusions may apply and E*TRADE reserves the right to charge variable commission rates. The standard options contract fee is $0.65 per contract (or $0.50 per contract for customers who execute at least 30 stock, ETF, and options trades per quarter). The retail online $0 commission does not apply to Over-the-Counter (OTC), foreign stock transactions, large block transactions requiring special handling, transaction-fee mutual funds, futures, or fixed income investments. Service charges apply for trades placed through a broker ($25). Stock plan account transactions are subject to a separate commission schedule. Additional regulatory and exchange fees may apply. For more information about pricing, visit etrade.com/pricing.
Is there a minimum balance or an annual maintenance fee for the E*TRADE brokerage account?
There are no minimum balance or maintenance fees for your E*TRADE brokerage account. For more information about pricing, visit etrade.com/pricing.
Is there a fee for dividend reinvestment in this linked E*TRADE brokerage account?
No, there is no fee for dividend reinvestment.
Is there a fee for holding American Depository Receipts (ADRs) in this linked E*TRADE brokerage account?
American Depository Receipts (ADRs) custody fees range between $.005 - $.05 per share. For more information about pricing, visit etrade.com/pricing.
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Benefits
Do I have the ability to earn interest on my cash in my E*TRADE brokerage account?
Yes. For more information, go to https://us.etrade.com/l/options-uninvested-cash/sweep-rates.
What are the benefits of having an E*TRADE brokerage account?
In addition to conducting your stock plan transactions, you will also receive:
• $0 commissions for online US-listed stock, ETF, and options trades and no account minimum or maintenance fees
• A full range of investment choices, including stocks, options, mutual funds, ETFs, and more
• Easy-to-use investing and planning tools to help you manage your portfolio and retirement savings
• Powerful trading platforms on desktop and #1-rated mobile app
You can also invest in other securities such as stocks, ETFs and mutual funds within your self-directed brokerage account.
Are there limitations on the equity I can hold on this account?
No.
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Stock Plan Transactions
Where do I see my unvested & vested shares?
You can log in to your Shareworks account to see your unvested and vested shares.
When will my shares be transferred to my E*TRADE account?
Timing of shares transfers vary by company and will be completed automatically. Once your shares are transferred, you will receive an email confirmation that the transaction has been completed. If you would like to transfer shares ahead of the automatic event, you may be eligible to do so by requesting a transfer through Shareworks or by contacting your dedicated service team at (866) 842-0657.
How do I close my Morgan Stanley Access Direct account & transfer my assets to my new E*TRADE account?
Once you have opened and linked your E*TRADE account, log in to your E*TRADE account and select "Transfer" on the top navigation bar. You will then be guided on transferring assets from your Morgan Stanley Access Direct account to your E*TRADE account.
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E*TRADE Account
How do I move my cash proceeds from Shareworks to E*TRADE? After you have opened your E*TRADE brokerage account, this account will be displayed as a disbursement option in your Shareworks account. You would select "E*TRADE Account" to send cash to this account.
Where can I see my cash proceeds or shares transferred, such as transaction history? Transaction history in Shareworks will record all activity in the stock plan account, including any cash or shares transferred to your E*TRADE account.
How do I log in to my new E*TRADE brokerage account? You can either: Log in at ETRADE.com using your E*TRADE user name and password. Or, you can log in to your Shareworks account and your E*TRADE linked brokerage account will be displayed on the Shareworks dashboard. You can access your E*TRADE account by clicking on this link and then logging in to E*TRADE.
How do I link my E*TRADE brokerage account to my stock plan account? Your new E*TRADE account will be linked automatically once you open the account and then log in to your Shareworks account.
Can I transfer an account or assets from another firm? Yes. For more information about transferring accounts and assets into your E*TRADE account, please visit https://us.etrade.com/frequently-asked-questions/open-an-account.
Are there funding requirements for a brokerage account? There are no minimum funding requirements on your E*TRADE brokerage accounts.
When will my funds be available to invest? Once you have set up and initiated a transfer, funds may take up to three business days to hit your account. Internal transfers from your Shareworks account (unless to an IRA) are immediate. You can log in to your E*TRADE account to see your transfer status.
Can I roll over my 401(k) to E*TRADE? Yes, you can roll over your 401(k) or other employer-sponsored plan to an E*TRADE IRA. E*TRADE offers a variety of account solutions. Learn about 4 options for rolling over your old employer plan at https://us.etrade.com/knowledge/library/retirement-planning/rollover-options.
How do I reset my User ID or Password? To retrieve your User ID, visit https://us.etrade.com/etx/user/recoveruserid. To reset your password online, visit https://us.etrade.com/etx/user/resetpassword.
Where do I get my tax statements for E*TRADE? You can visit the Tax Center for all your tax information needs.
Will I receive tax documents from E*TRADE and Shareworks? Yes. As a Shareworks participant you will receive a tax form which reflects your stock plan activity and a Consolidated 1099 for your E*TRADE self-directed brokerage account if you have sold any stock in your account for the given tax year.
Can I add a beneficiary to my E*TRADE brokerage account? Yes, you can add a beneficiary by completing the online form on etrade.com or calling the dedicated service line for help (866)-842-0657.
What if I already have an E*TRADE account? You can link your existing E*TRADE account by clicking on "Open or Link Now" in the banner when you log in to Shareworks. We will recognize that you already have an E*TRADE account and display any eligible E*TRADE accounts to select for linking to your Shareworks. After your selection, you will see a confirmation that your Shareworks and E*TRADE account have been linked. If your existing account(s) are not eligible to link to Shareworks, you will need to open a new E*TRADE account.
Can I sign in to my E*TRADE account from Shareworks and vice versa? Yes, you can single sign-on and move between accounts without logging out. However, if you are accessing Shareworks from your company intranet using Single Sign-On (SSO), this feature is not available.
What should I do if I try to log in to my E*TRADE account with my existing, valid credentials, and I receive an error message that says “not valid username and password”? If you receive an error when logging into your E*TRADE account, and you believe your credentials are correct, please follow the below steps, based on the browser you are using:
- Chrome: Change Settings to allow all cookies then restart your browser.
- Edge: Turn off “Block third-party cookies” settings then restart your browser.
- Safari: Uncheck “Prevent cross-site tracking” then restart your browser.
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Brokerage Transactions
Can I exercise and hold stock options in my E*TRADE brokerage account?
No. If you would like to exercise a stock option, please log in to your Shareworks account to do so.
Can I buy and sell mutual funds in my E*TRADE account?
Yes. You can choose from more than 7,000 mutual funds, many with no loads and no transaction fees. Visit https://us.etrade.com/what-we-offer/investment-choices/mutual-funds to learn more.
How do I place a trade?
For information on how to place a trade, visit https://us.etrade.com/frequently-asked-questions/investing-trading.
Will commissions change for stock plan transactions executed in Shareworks?
Plan pricing for stock plan transactions executed in Shareworks will remain the same and may differ from the commission schedule of the E*TRADE brokerage account.
If I have a Financial Advisor, can he/she transact on my behalf in my E*TRADE brokerage account?
No. This is a self-directed account and any Financial Advisor is prohibited from transacting or speaking with our Service Professionals regarding your E*TRADE brokerage account.
What are my options to earn interest in my E*TRADE account?
You can go to https://us.etrade.com/l/options-uninvested-cash/compare-sweep-options/brokerage to view the options available at E*TRADE for your uninvested cash, including current rates of return.
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Other
If I have been a victim of fraud, can I receive assistance from Morgan Stanley with my E*TRADE brokerage account (new ATM card, account restriction etc.)?
Yes, as a Shareworks participant, you have access to a dedicated service line for help with your stock plan and self directed brokerage accounts (866)-842-0657.
Can I register a complaint against E*TRADE with Morgan Stanley?
Yes, as a Shareworks participant, you have access to a dedicated service line for help with your stock plan and self directed brokerage accounts (866)-842-0657.
Will all company shares move into the linked E*TRADE brokerage account?
All shares that are vested and are not restricted by your company will be automatically transferred into your linked E*TRADE brokerage account at a date in the future. We will notify you in advance of the transfer.
How long do I have to open my linked E*TRADE brokerage account?
At a point in time in the future, you will be required to open an E*TRADE account. You will receive notice of the deadline in advance so that you can plan accordingly. After the deadline, you will be required to open your account when logging into Shareworks and will be required to complete the process before accessing your stock plan online.
Will I receive statements from E*TRADE and Shareworks?
Yes. As a Shareworks participant, you will receive a quarterly statement which reflects your stock plan activity and account balances. Additionally, you will receive monthly or quarterly statements for your E*TRADE brokerage account if you have any activity within the prior month.
If I leave my employer, what will happen to my shares?
If you leave your employer or are terminated, you will be able to keep your vested shares in your E*TRADE account.
Who do I contact if I have questions?
As a Shareworks participant, you have access to a dedicated service line for help with your stock plan and self directed brokerage accounts. Call (866)-842-0657 to speak to a service professional.
Take the Next Step on Your Stock Plan Journey
As your stock plan service provider, Morgan Stanley at Work is your primary resource for managing your stock plan benefits. To enhance your stock plan experience, your Shareworks account can now be linked to an E*TRADE brokerage account and integrated with your stock plan.
Please note if you are registering for a Shareworks account for the first time, you are required to open an E*TRADE account or link an existing, eligible1 E*TRADE account in order to complete the Shareworks account creation process. If you are an existing Shareworks user, there will be a deadline for you to open a new E*TRADE account or link an existing, eligible1 E*TRADE account. If you do not open an E*TRADE account or link an existing, eligible E*TRADE account by the deadline, you will no longer be able to access your stock plan information in Shareworks. You will continue to have access to your dedicated service team by telephone if you have questions or would like to initiate a stock plan transaction.
Additionally, if you have a Morgan Stanley Access Direct brokerage account, you can now close that account and transfer your stock plan assets to your new E*TRADE brokerage account. Click here to view the Account Opening section with instructions in the FAQ's.
1Eligible accounts include most individual brokerage accounts
How Does it Work?
While you will continue to view and track your stock plan grants in your Shareworks account, available cash is deposited into a linked E*TRADE brokerage account as part of your Morgan Stanley at Work stock plan experience.

Have an existing E*TRADE account?
If you already have an E*TRADE account, you can link that account with your Shareworks account. Then, when you sell your stock plan shares, you can receive your proceeds in that E*TRADE account. Just click on the “Open or Link Now” button in your Shareworks offer to elect to link your existing E*TRADE account.